An insider's view of what is really happening in the Harris County Criminal Courts

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Trouble in Paradise?

Rumors began swirling yesterday afternoon across the Offices of the District Attorney regarding an alleged "fight" brewing on the 6th Floor.

Although the rumors are not confirmed, apparently the departure of Special Crimes Bureau Chief Donna Goode has opened up a power struggle between First Assistant Jim Leitner and Bureau Chief Hannah Chow. My sources indicate that Chow has her eye on the First Assistant position and Jim is reacting none-too-happily over that.

The move wouldn't surprise me. Every time I have seen Lykos in person since January 1st, she has had Chow at her side. The two are appear to be inseparable.

Word on the street is that Leitner may be moving to the Special Crimes Bureau Chief position with Chow taking over his comfy office.

We shall see.

Of course, several of my friends in the Defense Bar put an over/under wager of 14 months as how long Leitner would last as First Assistant before either getting fired by the temperamental Lykos or getting so sick of her that he resigned. I think a demotion would count.

Now, the question will be that if he does get demoted, will he stay at the Office. Don't forget, he went to great trouble to shut down his practice, and starting it back up again would probably be a gigantic pain in the rear. I wonder if he will be able to walk out of the office with as much dignity as Donna Goode did.

Like I said, though, this is just a rumor coming in from numerous sources and there is nothing official on it as of yet. I just know that I would be stunned. Stunned, I tell you if Lykos somehow ended up double-crossing Jim after he endorsed her (at the expense of his credibility).

In an unrelated story, I will be renaming this website www.itoldyouso.com.

77 comments:

Anonymous
said...

If I were Hannah I would file a complaint with the Disciplinary Committee immediately. THis way Jimmy O'Boy knows what it feels like to be tried, convicted, and locked out of his computer prior being able to respond to the complaint. Get out while the getting is good Jimmy O'Boy. Take some diginity with you.

What does Hannah Chow know about anything? As far as I can tell her only experience in the criminal justice system was as a county criminal court judge for a few years, and she knew nothing then and did not do a good job.

Chow is a bigger joke in the office than Jim. She takes Patty her morning breakfast most mornings so they can catch up on the daily gossip. They want all new blood in the office and when anyone leaves Chow is doing the new hires. Yes they have a new hiring group in place but that is a joke. The group spends county time doing a complete interview while Chow has hired someone for the spot already without telling anyone. So, oops no spot for the people they want.It's all about the power struggle between Chow and Leitner. If Chow can run Leitner out of the office, it would be another feather in her cap for her breakfast partner. And Lykos wouldn't even get her hands dirty.

I agree with you. He is making what he justifies as a sacrifice because he so desperately wants the power of being DA.

Also, Lykos HAS to have Jim next door. It is common knowledge that Jim handles just about everything in the office and without him Lykos would really have problems and she knows it.

I have heard that either Jim or his wife was overheard complaining about how he is the only one up there actually working. That seems to be the case as Roger has been gone and Chow we know does nothing but kiss Lykos' ass.

My bet is that there is NO WAY in hell that Lykos can afford to demote Jim. Jim won't let that happen and she needs him too much.

This is unrelated to this particular post, but funny. This morning, my husband, who is a defense attorney, and I, who am a former prosecutor, took our kids to the park. We crossed over a wooden bridge and my husband said, "Do you know who lives under bridges?" And my son said, "No." My husband said, "Pat Lycos." My son said, "What's a Pat Lycos?" My husband replied, "A troll." We then explained what trolls are. My son was rather confused, but the exchange gave me a good laugh!

I don't know why Hannah Chow would want to become the First Ass. D.A. I think Leitner has done a good job as First Ass. D.A., and Chow would be best advised to remain as just an Ass. D.A. Since Leitner has been the First Ass. D.A., he has created and implemented policies that have made the other ADA's thankful that he is the First Ass. D.A. If Chow left her job as an Ass. D.A. and became the First Ass. D.A., it could cause more chaos in the D.A.'s office.

What the fuck Murray? You spend all your time bashing Lykos and telling the world about what is going on with the office, but you forget things, important things, things that could affect all humanity.

Specifically, that Lykos will be throwing out the first pitch for the ASTROS in July (I purposely am leaving the date out so if you buy tickets your fucked). I was already pissed at Drayton, now I hate him.

I have never made a post on this blog or any blog for that matter. I hope I don't regret it. I have been watching all this unfold since the Chuck Rosenthal thing and after last week's events, I finally had to post. This is the saddest state of affairs that I have ever seen. The HCDO is failing for one reason.... because the office is not united. Was the last administration perfect, no but right now the office looks like a bunch of idiots because we are all so busy fighting amongst each other and not standing united. Being united is going to take everyone, old and new administration together. New administration, lead by example, not by being dictators and yes men. You all came in talking about all the problems of the Rosenthal administration. So don't be the Rosenthal administration, be better. Realize that the tenured prosecutors that are leaving are not easily replaceable and them leaving is a HUGE loss! Fill your committees and meetings by people not only from the new administration but the old as well. You can learn a lot from them and they from you. Know that trying to tell a bunch of prosecutors, fighters by nature, to put up and shut up, will NEVER be well received. Making them fear for the job that they love, need and have been doing for a long time is going to breed more resentment than has already transpired. Being good leaders means admitting that you are new at this and realizing that asking for input from prosecutors that have been at the office through 2 or 3 administrations is not weak, it is smart. Old folks, realize that not everyone is always going to be happy with every decision made. We weren't always happy with the old administration's decisions but we lived by them. Keep your head about you and know that you make a difference to the citizens of Harris County and that we need you now more than ever! I know a lot of this is easier said than done but it not only something that we need to do but have to do. My last comment is to the elected District Attorney. Your job is NOT to get reelected. Your job is to figure out what the hell you are doing and making sure that the people of Harris County are safe and that victims and citizens are given the justice that they elected you to give them. Quit worrying about your own personal agenda and your campaign contributors and start worrying about your assistants, who aren't doing so hot right now, and your job of making sure that justice is done. In short, open your eyes, start listening to ALL of your assistants, not just your hand picked ones, and get your butt back to the office. IT IS FALLING APART IN FRONT OF YOUR EYES. One day in this job, your neck may be on the line and if and when that time happens, you will not only want the support of your assistants but will NEED it. As it is now, I don't 95% of them would even say hello to you if they saw you on the street.

Anon 4:23 p.m.,I had no idea about Lykos throwing out the first pitch. I'm terribly sorry for being remiss in my duties.

I foresee Lykos throwing throwing it into the stands, hitting a small child, and then blaming it on the Rosenthal Administration. She will then fire the highest ranking member of the office who worked under Chuck. She will then have Hannah Chow replace Hunter Pence, give a speech on the Rule of Law, announce a pre-trial diversion program for sexual assaults of children and then call it a day.

I think Murray ought to have a poll on whether Small Ball Jim will will be replaced by the Ewok -Hannah I am more of a government whore Chow- than Roger and Small Ball Jim combined..... Or a multiple choice poll- get to work Murray and let's get some numbers on what people think will happen.

Anon 11:03,Will Kenny "the Chameleon" Magidson be running as a Republican or a Democrat? The smart money says he'll run as a Democrat. But the smartest money says that dog won't hunt.There's a whole lot of difference between being appointed a figure head to temporarily babysit a seasoned team of prosecutors that had been used to running itself and actually getting in the trenches. Kenny's main selling point is that he was a glimpse of sanity between Chuck and The Troll. The new DA will not have the luxury of allowing the office to run itself......true experience will take the day in 2012.

Anon 7:53 a.m.,I actually liked Ken Magidson as the D.A. right up until the moment he fired me on Christmas Eve. He wouldn't be a bad choice to run as a Democrat, but I hope a Republican can knock Lykos out of the running in March 2012. Wouldn't it be refreshing to have two good and competent opponents facing off in November, rather than two horrible ones like last time?

But, you do bring up a good point with what the state of the Office will be on January 1, 2013. The truly seasoned prosecutors will be gone and the new prosecutors are being trained by the Gang Who Couldn't Shoot Straight.

I think this blog does more to foster the distrust and angst at the DA's office than any other single factor. We understand you see yourself as bringing transparency and shedding light on what is going on over there. I am just confused about the lack of a blog to expose Chuck's every misstep. It appears your concern for keeping the citizens informed began about the time you saw your job in possible peril. Murray, you have many friends still trying to make a career out of working over at that office. We know you are still smarting over being fired but you may heal a little faster if you spent some time writing about things that help rather than hurt.

Anon 5:11,I am truly sorry for your epiphany, albeit late in the game.Unfortunately, very few old dogs learn new tricks and bitch Lykos definitely ain't one of them.But why are you all of a sudden so shocked? Lykos is who she is and always has been this way so her abhorrent behavior is in line. You remind me of a little kitten that just opened it's eyes for the very 1st time and doesn't like what the real world looks like.

AHCL,Your last paragraph highlights my point. Kenny merely didn't rock the boat and Lykos is sinking the ship. To lead effectively you need to know what the real issues are, the strengths and the weaknesses of the organization and the most appropriate way to initiate needed change. Our office needs someone who is tough, calls it like it is and is capable of rebuilding....there will be nothing left to babysit in 2012. And frankly, a Rick Perry political appointee one minute and then the same guy puts in to be appointed by Obama as USDA the next does not pass the smell test. It's time for a seasoned prosecutor not a politician....and before you argue that Kenny is eminently more qualified than Lykos....who isn't?

Anon 10:36 a.m.,Give me a freaking break. You seriously want to blame me and the blog for REPORTING the news rather than Lykos and her toadies for CREATING the news? Man, you have had one too many pitchers of kool-aid.If she and Roger and the rest of Branch Davidians she calls her upper administration want me to stop writing about them doing stupid crap, then perhaps they might want to consider the of idea of STOP DOING stupid crap.It would seem to take away my ammunition, now wouldn't it?

Murray,Anon 10:36 is just a politician using the Obama play book eg. Blame Bush for everything so you don't have to hone up to personal responsibility. However bad the arrogant Chuckster was on all levels a human being is measured, the troll and her her lieutenants can not justify their misconduct by referencing his.That logic is tantamount to a defendant using the "but I'm not as bad as Charley Manson" defense in his Capital Murder trial.

AHCL: Everything the administration does in your eyes is stupid crap. Your blog isn't just about reporting on the goings on at the courthouse as its title suggests. It is more name calling, passing on unconfirmed gossip, and trying to convince the readers that no good decisions have come out of the new administration. I think the reason the blog has been labled toxic is clear. Its not ideas being batted around to fix things, it is an opportunity for really ugly things to be said about people without fear of consequences. While this may be an opportuntiy for some to vent, it serves to foster negative feelings and distrust among the ADA's at 1201.

Anon 3:17,It's just a blog. The Lykos lieutenants are responsible for wrecking havoc on the office, not Murray. This blog is just one way for the plethora of disgruntled prosecutors to vent the deep sadness at the destruction of an office we loved and were once proud to be a part of. Lykos and her bitter lieutenants fuel the anger, frustration and malcontent that are merely expressed on these pages of cyberspace as a form of simple catharses. But for the bad leadership there would be no need for the negativity you complain of and since only DUIs get expungements we are forced to remain anonymous. 1201 Franklin has become a joke in just 6 months.....that is a lot more offensive than this blog could ever be.Murray keep up the good fight.

For those of you that don't like what Murray has to say on his blog, STOP READING IT. If you find it toxic, simply don't go to it anymore, but don't criticize him for what he chooses as the subject matter for HIS blog.

I will bitch as much as I see fit as is as much my right as any poster on here. I miss the less bitter more poetic Murray and will exercise my right to say so every chance I get. You have a gift Murray. Use it for good.

Jimmy 3:17,Turn out the lights the party's over.....let's see how you run Special Crimes big bad ADA.I can't wait to watch your 1st voir dire as an ADA. What a joke that trial will be whale or not. It wasn't worth selling your soul was it Jimmy Boy?

Every time I read an attack on Murray and this blog, I know Murray has hit the nail on the head. I notice those complaining Murray does nothing but talk about Pat have not pointed out anything else of great interest and certainly have not pointed out Pat success stories at least not since claiming Greenwood is a nationally recognized trial attorney. Let's face it the people who have been brought in are not nationally recognized in anything. Murray is not the person bringing all the negative feelings to the office. Look on the 6th floor and you will find the answer.

I wouldn't exactly agree with your observations about my post. I wouldn't say that I have had an epiphany, am shocked or am like a kitten opening their eyes for the first time. I was very well aware of Lykos' reputation before she took office. However, I figured things would go as they have, hoped to hell that they wouldn't, and am bitterly disappointed now that I know that I was right in the first place. Not too many times you can be disappointed when you are right. If that makes me kitten like, so be it.

Kenny,s term is under scrutiny. Something about some asst da purging bad report from file.Is that an honest administration? Murray ,you would not do that but some of your pods supposedly did while things were in caos. These pods should be leaving soon because the wrong person found out what these people did.

Anon 6:35,"1st time DUI'ers" are more likely to stop driving under the influence after attending Patsy's "Jack and Coke Abstinence Program" than her goons are at appropriately leading a team of ADAs and support staff. I was hoping your earlier piece was a satire, my bad. I am shocked you are that naive; being a prosecutor and all.BTW, I understand the Judge's upper echelon is drafting a mandatory "How to be an Obediant Troll Minion" indoctrination camp next month. Perhaps after your attendance you will have a greater understanding of Troll world order at the HCDAO. Good luck.

What I want to know is why those that are being promoted to Felony 3 under the new admin are getting pay raises. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for pay raises. But older Felony 3s did not get that and now brand new 3s are making more than people who have been 3s for a year or more? Hrm... It's like 2-3 dollars more per hour, which is significant if you consider the annual amount... Maybe not the most pressing problem right now, but food for thought.

Murray,Check out the Lone Star Times' 6/30/2009 piece by David Jennings entitled "Harris County GOP Needs New Leadership". It is a direct assault on the Lykos power base and dead on for the survival of the office and our local political system. If we band forces with this common sense approach and reach out to our community NOW we can crush the corruption of Lykos and her lieutenants in 2012 and restore the reputation of excellence to the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

As others have pointed out, this blog provides a far better source of exactly what is taking place in the HCDA office than all other sources combined. If it appears to be full of gossip or half truths, that is only because some of you lack the proper perspective to see the bigger picture. Give it time and you will see how frighteningly correct Murray and company were, are, and will be.

PS: I believe Lykos did indeed work a deal regarding Drayton, is finding Jim a liability, and likes Chow's subservience more than anything else about her given her own lack of credentials.

Eunuch= the man who traded in his integrity, sense of pride, credibility, self respect, and balls of course, JIM LEITNER

The Debaser: Has to be Bridgewater- he traded in a floundering practice only to be an ultra-religous failure as an appointed judge- he must have spent to much time sucking up to Pat and not praying during the last election...

If we band forces with this common sense approach and reach out to our community NOW we can crush the corruption of Lykos and her lieutenants in 2012 and restore the reputation of excellence to the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

The problem is that you probably believe Lykos isn't Republican enough, and the Party will keep pandering to its hard-core religious right. They won't take a common sense approach. They'll want to replace Lykos with someone like Siegler, who is nothing but the latest version of Holmes and Rosenthal. Harris County may not need Lykos, but they have already said they don't want Siegler.

For you folks to get rid of Lykos, you need a moderate Republican, not the same old Republicans. And even if the People want that, the Party does not.

Anon 9:58,It is the hard core folks, not the moderates, who rejected Kelly and embraced Lykos. The hard core intolerants are the problem not the solution. Read the Lone Star Times article so you understand the issue referenced. BTW, the Lone Star Times also endorsed Kelly for DA over Lykos. To imply that Kelly is too Republican indicates you do not know her at all. Kelly was actually condemned by the Republican hard core base for not being Republican enough. In one of the early Republican Primary debates between Kelly and Lykos each were allowed to ask their opponent a question. Kelly asked Lykos what her qualifications to be DA were and Lykos, having none, danced around the question to cheers from her peers. When it was Lykos' turn to ask Kelly a question she asked "How long have you been a Republican?" It wasn't all that long and Kelly's answer was not well received.In reality, the position of DA should transcend politics. The real question should be: what candidate is most qualified for the job? Who has the best experience and ability to insure justice is served; not who has the best political bullshit.Moderates, conservatives and liberals want a fair and just system that is tough on crime so that their neighborhoods and society as a whole is as safe as Constitutionally possible.Rosenthal is not worthy to walk in Kelly's footsteps and is the primary reason we are in the situation we are in today.Kelly Siegler would be an outstanding DA and if today she ran head to head in a general election against Lykos would handily trounce the Judge.Kelly did not and will not sell out to the hard cores and that resulted in her not being able to overcome the Rosenthal scandal in the Republican Runoff . So before you judge someone, get the facts straight.

It is the hard core folks, not the moderates, who rejected Kelly and embraced Lykos.

Would these be the same hard core folks who allowed her late filing for office without challenge?

Nope. Kelly was their girl early on, but in the primary the Party largely stays out of the fight. Once the primary was done, of course the Republican Party went for Lykos.

The average citizen wanted change. Sure, you can say that Kelly would have won had they taken the results without a runoff, but the real issue is that far more people voted against Kelly than for her. When the primary candidates were narrowed down, they consolidated with Lykos because they didn't want Kelly. That wasn't the Party, that was the people.

In reality, the position of DA should transcend politics.

I agree 100%.

The real question should be: what candidate is most qualified for the job?

Yep. And Kelly is not it. She was right there with Rosenthal when it comes to how she prosecuted people. She was not concerned with justice. Period. Her actions say far more than your words when it comes to her beliefs.

My facts are plenty straight. You saying "Kelly is a moderate who only seeks justice" doesn't make it true, even if you keep repeating it. Harris County is far better off without her. And the current purge is a direct result of the Rosenthal administration's actions. The public wanted to get rid of him, and in order to effectively do that you have to get rid of all of the people who supported him. That means Kelly, Goode, and anyone else whether in a position of power or not who either wanted DA's to continue the same practices or who actually engaged in those practices. The purge may catch some good people, but that's the problem with purges, they have to be complete. You have Rosenthal to blame for this, not Lykos. She is fully supported by the citizens of Harris County to the extent that they will ever support a DA.

Your statement that Pat Lykos is fully supported by the citizens of Harris County as much as any D.A. has ever been is just silly over reaching. As important as our jobs are, they are largely ignored by the general public unless they have their lives touched by crime. Sometimes the public might pay attention to a big name case, but generally the criminal justice system is the unwanted step-child of the governmental system. If you believe the general public approves of Lykos, I can assure you it is only out of indifference.

Oh, and if Kelly had more people vote against her than for her is your version of mathematics, than you surely realize that Pat Lykos got many more votes against her than Kelly ever did.

Anon 9:30,BTW, Kelly kicked Pat's butt in the Republican primary. The Republican Runoff was notable in the paucity of voter turnout with the hard core base taking the apathetic day.Secondly, Lykos filed AFTER Kelly so that argument makes no sense. Leitner had standing to challenge but was too much of a pussy and had an under the table deal worked out with Lykos to split the vote since neither could beat Kelly individually head on. The Grand Old Republican Party interviewed Lykos, Leitner and others in an attempt to find a replacement candidate for the disgraced Rosenthal but NEVER even had the courtesy to offer an interview to Kelly in the vetting process. Kelly ran in spite of the hard cores resenting her independence. But for dirty Republican Politics she would have, and almost did, carry the day. To disparage the reputations of many great former and current seasoned prosecutors by their mere affiliation with Rosenthal is ludicrous. These fine folks did their jobs IN SPITE OF Rosenthal. People like you are why Lykos is running the show today.Your ignorance and/or insecurity is not an excuse for your misstatements of fact.

The above arguments not withstanding, there is merit to the notion of a new face for the next race. I don’t mean a person who has never been a DA, but one who has no past political agenda.

Kelly knows how much regard I have for her, but she has had enough. I think the best chance of success is probably a woman without a religious right connection and no overt connection with Rosenthal, but young enough to provide future stability to the office.

However, we don’t need to make that decision now. As I have said before, we need to start a fund that we can draw on as we get closer to the next election and then throw our support to the best candidate. If we decide that’s Kenny then Ok. If not, then someone else. My agenda is getting rid of Lykos and picking up the pieces. That seems to be the agenda of most of those who post. That ought to be your poll Murray. Then we need to figure out how to do it legally. BTW I did ask Richard Murray over at UH for his advice only to be told he was not qualified to render an opinion on the Election Code.

9:30,if you agree with outraged that being da should be based on qualifications rather than politics how do you reconcile that with your support of lykos since it is obvious that she is not remotely qualified to be da?

Shut up already. To put an end to some of your pissing matches I'll throw you all a curve ball, catch it if you can. Question for All, *Who should be held reponsible when it can be shown that a former (now-retired)H.C. ADA knowingly & willingly falsified gov. docs. by creating two State's Exhibits docs. dated seven yrs. apart. One dated 1991 being typed w/ #2-Jugdement & #2A-Photo of gun & One dated 1984 being handwritten w/ #2-.38 cal. Rohm pistol. With no record of the "Mystery Gun" being listed in defendant's HPD Incident Report or criminal history record. No chain of custody records showing where it came from and how it got checked into H.C. Property/Evidence room, no Motion to Destroy, no Court Order of Destruction or Method of Destruction docs. ever being created. To add to the pile of steaming hot shit, this ADA somehow enlisted the help of an exhibit clerk whom replied to the records request for the info above by saying that she personally destroyed the gun and therefore the docs. didn't need to be created? Should he get a (Get Out Shit) card or should his name & cert. court docs. be sent somewhere to be checked out so he can face some trouble in his paradise? FYI, The Texas B.of P. & P. is joke if you think they'll look at it.

YAs important as our jobs are, they are largely ignored by the general public

That's why I said "as much as any DA can be." The only thing they knew this election cycle was that they didn't want Rosenthal or anyone who had anything to do with him in charge. That's also why Lykos has a blank check to purge the office.

Oh, and if Kelly had more people vote against her than for her is your version of mathematics, than you surely realize that Pat Lykos got many more votes against her than Kelly ever did.

Yet look who's in office.

These fine folks did their jobs IN SPITE OF Rosenthal.

Y'all say that now. When he was there y'all were so far up his ass even his secretary felt compelled to give him a reacharound. Too little, too late.

MURRAY---Keep up the good work. we all read your blog and it is right on. Overheard from 6th floor loud noise about some old-timer being set free next week.We are all on pins and needles about the future. We also know there is a big power struggle on 6. This reminds us of the fish that eat each other. Wish you were still here.

Why don't you change the name to www.therumormill.com. Or at least wait to publish what actually happens, not what rumor says may happen.

I know you want to scoop everyone on this, and posting early may be an attempt to screw Chow because Lykos is less likely to demote Jim after this post, but then again the general public knows nothing of this blog.

Anon 250,The world is not as concrete black and white as you paint it. There were many good folks in senior management that worked hard and did the right thing under Rosenthal, employee/boss dynamics notwithstanding. There was not a forum like this blog to vent at that time.....too fucking bad, given the luxury of 20/20 hindsight. Those in upper management voiced their frustration to themselves and covered Rosenthal's ass publicly.The office ran well because Rosenthal did not meddle in the day to day affairs as destructively as Lykos/Leitner. Rosenthal's personal arrogance, ignorance and incompetence should not be impugned on his subordinates simply by virtue of contemporaneous employment. The collapse of the office and the tempering of time will not permit that kind of dysfunctional reasoning in 2012. Our little courthouse world as important as we may think it is at the end of the day is inconsequential as to who is elected DA....Lykos proved that in 2008. There will not be a perfect storm for her in 2012.

On April 22, I was called to Donna’s office to explain to her why I would not attend the Tuesday morning Pat is Great meetings. Donna encouraged me to join in and work with Team Lykos and participate in those meetings when my division chief was gone. My response was that I would not attend any of those meetings and I would retire first. (I felt attending would soil me with the prior and continuing decisions of her administration) My other response was that I could never be part of Team Lykos because I was not hired by Lykos. Team Lykos only included those she had brought into the office. I retired April 30 and spoke to Donna on that day. I warned her that based on my exit interview, I felt Team Lykos was looking for a reason to get rid of Donna. And now they are using her questioning Roger Bridgewater about training to turn off computer access with claims of either insubordination or bad judgement. I am not sure we will ever know for sure because the Lykos administration, with a campaign promise of transparency, will never put anything in writing. I am smart enough to know when they turn off your computer access, you have been terminated. If they asked for a response, they were not really interested in her response, they were only going through the motions.

My advice to the remaining ADAs, when invited to make comment or to give input to any issue or policy in the office, keep your mouth shut, they really do not want your comment or input. In the alternative, learn to lie and answer that whatever they want to do is fine.

Most do not know that Roger Bridgewater and I were study partners and friends through law school. I helped him and his wife move twice during law school. Right after graduating from law school, I loaded a van and moved to Florida. Roger was the only friend who showed up and helped me load the van. He was a smart, kind and caring person. Has anyone seen that Roger? I fear he is lost.

Best of luck to Donna. I know she will be much happier away from the office. The citizens of Harris County have lost another great and professional prosecutor. The employees of the DA’s office have lost an advocate for the employees, an advocate for professionalism and following the goal of prosecution, seeking justice.

Thank you Edward. Anyone that knows Ed, knows he is not a liar. So we now know his side of why he left. What a stand up guy not to say anything about his meeting with Donna until after her exit. Hum, do we see a pattern? Ed was let go because he would not attend the meeting because he knew his thoughts would fall on deaf ears. Donna went to the meeting and found out her thoughts also fell on deaf ears.

"Rosenthal's personal arrogance, ignorance and incompetence should not be impugned on his subordinates simply by virtue of contemporaneous employment."

Complete bullshit. Why didn't he draw an opponent from within the office until he was on the way out anyway? Because y'all are little different than him. Same tactics, same apologists for false convictions.

My advice to the remaining ADAs, when invited to make comment or to give input to any issue or policy in the office, keep your mouth shut, they really do not want your comment or input. In the alternative, learn to lie and answer that whatever they want to do is fine.

What happened to the outstanding ADAs who should not be compared to Rosenthal just because of contemporaneous employment?

So much for honor and dignity. Encouraging them to ignore abuse is cowardice.

when ed porter speaks, i listen. ed is one of the finest human beings i ever met. ed when you read this please call me. you helped me many times ,but specifically in a case with a broken down motorcycle that had to be towed. you waited with the owner and passenger of the bike until the tow trailer arrived.the weather was bad. i am out of town for the weekend but will be back in houston monday.please call me then.FRIEND OF ED PORTER

anon 10:41unless you included the "unfabulous 5" (troll, eunuch, ewok, debaser and ferret) in your count these are 5 others that also comment regularly. so murray has as many as 8 or more active commenters. how did this handful of commenters vote in the 1st asst. poll so many times? maybe they're all working out of an internet cafe? up your prozac jimmy, get the troll a pack of marlboro's, mix her a jack and coke, wash her and her county ride and take her to a bingo game.

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Blogs are born, blogs die — it’s a cycle as old as blogging itself, said Scott Rosenberg, author of Say Everything: How Blogging Began, What It’s Becoming and Why It Matters.

“Things grow and mature, and then they reach their end,” he said. “That’s the shape of our lives.”

One of the Anons has suggested that maybe we should talk about something new.

I can tell you right now that's not happening because the topic ("TIP") is what it is. 76 or so comments and still going strong. I'd say it hit a nerve between the "For & Against" crowd.

You have to admit it's fun to watch the sparks fly from a fly on the wall perspective, even if you can't tell who is who half the time. Get it? It's only fair to let em blog it out & let fathertime purge em when he's ready.

About Me

I'm a Criminal Defense Attorney and a former Harris County prosecutor. I've been involved in Criminal Law since I was in college, and I've been practicing in Houston for over 15 years.
Most people never have to come down to the Harris County Criminal Justice Center unless they have jury duty. This blog is meant to give the Outsider an inside view.
These are just my opinions. The opinions of the Commenters are also just their opinions and I don't endorse them. But (within reason), I want everybody to be able to have a forum to say what they want to say.